Back in February, the ability of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Credentials Committee was rightfully called into question for declaring NewSpring Church in “friendly cooperation” with the SBC despite the flagrant employment of a female “pastor.” The pastrix in question was Meredith Knox, who was on the Teaching Team. At the time, the decision of the committee was rightfully derided, even by SBC presidents Clint Presley and Bart Barber.
NewSpring Church is a megachurch with thirteen locations situated in South Carolina. Most of the locations possess a uniform “modern” aesthetic with a trendy logo and very much appeal to marketing culture for a managerial age. Yet rather than be removed forcibly by the SBC, they have instead decided to voluntarily withdraw their affiliation.
NewSpring Church,
We have an important update regarding our church’s relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). From the beginning, Baptist distinctives have been central to our theology and practices, and while we haven’t been actively involved in SBC events, we’ve maintained our affiliation for this reason.
Recently, our involvement with the SBC has been questioned, particularly regarding our stance on women in ministry. It’s become clear that our ongoing affiliation has caused tension and division within the convention.
In September 2024, the SBC Credentialing Committee reached out regarding concerns that we didn’t “closely identify” with the SBC’s statement of faith, particularly on the role of women in ministry. We addressed their questions and clarified our position, affirming our alignment with Scripture and the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Last month, they responded, stating that after reviewing the information, they concluded NewSpring should be considered in friendly cooperation with the SBC and closed their inquiry.
However, this decision has created division among some pastors and leaders in the convention. While we remain confident that we are operating under the authority of Scripture — and while we do not agree with the differing views — we are aware that perspectives vary, particularly concerning the role of women in ministry. After prayerful consideration, we’ve decided to withdraw from national SBC participation. This decision is not about disagreement with the SBC’s core commitments but about preserving unity in the body of Christ. We don’t want our affiliation to distract from the Great Commission or cause division in churches preaching the Gospel.
NewSpring will continue to uphold sound doctrine, remaining faithful to the teachings of Scripture, staying true to Scripture. We affirm that both men and women are called to ministry and leadership, while the role of elder/overseer (or lead pastor) remains reserved for qualified men, as outlined in Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:1-2. Our Leadership Team and Campus Pastors will remain qualified men, and we will continue to empower both men and women in their God-given callings while maintaining biblical distinctions in governance.
This decision is driven by a desire for unity and a commitment to Christ’s mission. We believe it will help us focus on what matters most: preaching the Gospel and seeing everyone everywhere in an every day relationship with Jesus. We remain open to partnering with ministries that share our passion for advancing God’s Kingdom, and we pray God will continue to guide us in fulfilling His mission.
We have included below our formal letter to the SBC and the questions from the Credentialing Committee as well as our response.
NewSpring Leadership Team
They also featured the letter they sent to the SBC, which relays much of the same information. NewSpring would claim they hold both to the BFM and to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture, but they violate these tenets of the faith when they claim that a woman can be a pastor. Consistent with much modern Christian thought, they believe in a distinction between “lead pastor” and subservient pastors within the church’s ecclesiology. Nowhere in Scripture is this found, and while it is reasonable to presume a “bishop” who oversees various congregations in communion as the Anglicans hold, such distinction in qualification is indefensible within the local congregation.
Credential Committee Questionnaire
There is a perverse tendency to boast of their egalitarian sin, which is what NewSpring does when they also release their answers to the questions received from the Credentials Committee, which reveal how flagrant they are in violation of the BFM.
1. The Convention’s adopted statement of faith, the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, Article VI. The Church, reads as follows:
While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
Does your church’s stated faith “closely identify” with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith, specifically regarding the office of pastor? Please explain.
NewSpring Church’s stated faith closely identifies with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith regarding the office of lead pastor. NewSpring affirms the biblical view that while both men and women are gifted for ministry and leadership, the role of elder/overseer, or lead pastor, is reserved for qualified men as outlined in Scripture, referencing passages such as Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:1-2. These scriptures establish that the office of elder is to be filled by men, and NewSpring adheres to these guidelines by reserving its Leadership Team and Campus Pastor roles for qualified men.
At the same time, NewSpring believes that women play a vital and significant role in ministry and leadership within the church. Therefore, NewSpring encourages and provides opportunities for women to exercise their God-given gifts, including leadership, teaching, and ministry, under the oversight and authority of the male elders of the church. Women are active in teaching, preaching, and leading ministries, always in alignment with the church’s doctrinal authority and elder oversight. This practice reflects the balance of affirming women’s significant roles while maintaining the biblical model for the office of elder.
The rest of their answers are much of the same as the first one, and they were even asked by the SBC whether “church see any distinct differences between the primary functions of the lead pastor and female staff members with the title ‘pastor’?” to which they included the following:
The term “pastor,” as it applies to men and women in our church, refers to their shepherding responsibilities rather than the formal office of elder or overseer. While women are not ordained as elders, they are entrusted with leadership, shepherding care (pastoral care), and teaching, operating under the authority of the male eldership. This approach ensures that both men and women can fully contribute to the life of the church while maintaining the biblical distinction in the role of elder/overseer.
While the primary functions of the lead pastor and male elders include ultimate decision-making and spiritual oversight, women with the title “pastor” are entrusted with significant leadership and shepherding care (pastoral care) responsibilities, always under the biblical framework of male eldership.
Again, despite being very clear on their stance, they were deemed in friendly cooperation by the SBC. Under divine inspiration, the Apostle Paul stated that “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” There is no role of leading, teaching, or shepherding for women in the church, so their disagreement is not with the SBC, but the Lord. Women who adorn themselves as “pastors” are in reprobate sin.
Conclusion
The process is clearly broken, and while many will roar like lions against the Credentials Committee, the likes of Bart Barber, Ed Litton, and JD Greer are responsible for enabling this theological drift. While it is good that there is one less egalitarian megachurch in the SBC, the revealed answers to the committee’s correspondence only add to the embarrassment that is the SBC while exemplifying the need for the Mike Law amendment to remove this ilk from the convention.
